The Maoris believe in all sorts of charms and magic and spirits. They have a legend about these forests, for instance, that a goddess of wisdom lives in these hill tops and is a tree by day and a white woman at night.

(Her eyes sparkling). Have you seen her?

Not yet—but sometimes—

But sometimes—go on—do tell me—

Sometimes after a day alone in these forests, at sunset, when the heavens seem opening, one half imagines Wisdom is just behind one, slipping between the trees—I (hesitates).

What an enchanting country. Tell me—

Here’s Robert. Robert! I have brought Loveday. This is Loveday Lewisham. She arrived last week, when you were out here. She would come so as to see a camp before you break it up. She wants to see everything.

I’ll show her. (Goes over towards fire, and points to sheep enclosures at back.) Do you see those? That’s just the beginning of them. We have a rare good lot of sheep this year.

I am glad. We need everything good we can get this year.

We need everything we can get every year.

But this year specially. There are so many people in England who need extra feeding and clothing. Your sheep will be useful.

I hadn’t thought of that.

Wool and mutton! Both necessaries. Of course we’ve all thought of that, Robert.

Loveday is simply obsessed with the idea of the war, and says we ought not to have any luxuries.

Aye. She’s right.

What is that sheep doing? (Goes toward the lame sheep by the fire.)

I dunno. Sick, I expect. Here, Roto. What is that sheep here for?

Leg broke, Boss.

Oh, isn’t it thirsty? Look how its tongue hangs out. Let me give it some water.

(Smiling.) It doesn’t want